| Area: | 258 000 sq.km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet climate; most rainfall: October-May |
| Population: | 1.28 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 4 050 (1993) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Coastal country |
| Logistics: | Ports and roads adequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Roots and tubers |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: September-November |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 19 percent |
CURRENT SITUATION
The staple foodcrops are cassava and plantains. Production of cereals, mainly maize is limited to around 26 000 tons. Abundant rains in the south during the last two dekads of September and in the entire country in October and early November allowed a good development of maize crop which is reaching maturity. The country needs to import the bulk of its wheat and rice requirements, estimated at 62 000 tons.
CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Normal production | - | 1 | 23 | 24 |
| Normal imports (incl. re-exports) | 40 | 20 | 2 | 62 |
| of which: Structural food aid | - | - | - | - |
| 1994 Production | - | 1 | 25 | 26 |
| 1995 Utilization | 40 | 21 | 27 | 88 |
| Food use | 39 | 20 | 21 | 80 |
| Non-food use | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 |
| 1995 Import Requirement | 40 | 20 | 2 | 62 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 40 | 20 | 2 | 62 |
| Food aid needs | - | - | - | - |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | - | - | - | - |
| of which: Delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year) | 30 | 16 | 16 | 62 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1994 production as % of normal: | 108 | |||
| 1995 import requirement as % of normal: | 100 | |||
| 1995 food aid requirement as % of normal: | - | |||